Henderson Hits For Cycle In Tides Series Opening Win

NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk Tides (35-38) defeated the Gwinnett Stripers (35-38), 8-2, in Tuesday night’s series opener at Harbor Park.

Gunnar Henderson had a performance for the ages, hitting for the cycle in the contest. He started his night with a single in the first and then collected his first of three RBI with a two-run triple in the third. Henderson would then launch his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot, in the fourth and would complete his cycle with a double in the sixth.

He became the first Tide batter since Timo Perez on June 9, 2000, to hit for the cycle and he is the first Norfolk batter to hit the cycle since the club became an Orioles affiliate in 2007. His four hits also set a new career high.

The Tides jumped on the board in the first, when Kyle Stowers doubled home Henderson and later added on four runs in the third, highlighted by Henderson’s two-run triple and capped by an RBI-single by Jacob Nottingham, giving Norfolk a 5-0 lead. Henderson’s homer in the fourth made it 6-0 and Stowers capped the scoring for the home team with his team-leading 14th home run in the sixth, a two-run blast to right field.

Bruce Zimmermann twirled a quality start in his first start with the Tides this season, working 6.0 innings and allowing one run on just two hits, while striking out seven batters and walking three. Kevin Smith followed out of the bullpen earning a three-inning save. He allowed one run on one hit, which was a home run, but he struck out four batters and did not issue a free pass. Smith retired the final nine batters he faced after allowing his home run.

Both teams will be back in action tomorrow night at Harbor Park. The Tides are set to start RHP Cody Sedlock (2-1, 6.64) and the Stripers will counter with RHP Nolan Kingham (1-, 2.88). First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.

POSTGAME NOTES

• FAST STARTS AT HARBOR PARK: The Tides scored one run in the opening frame, their International League-leading 57th first inning run this season...the Tides have scored at least one run in five-straight games...even though they did not hit a home run in tonight’s opening frame, Norfolk still leads the league with 17 long balls.
• TOP GUNNAR: Gunnar Henderson opened this six-game series by going 4-for-4 with four runs scored, a double, a triple, a home run and three RBI, hitting for the cycle...he became the first Tide since Timo Perez on June 9, 2000, to hit for the cylce...it was his first triple with the Tides this season and he has now homered in two-sraight and in three of his last four games...the four hits is a career high...he now has 15 RBI in his first 19 games at the Triple-A level...since his Norfolk debut on June 8, Henderson’s 23 hits and 15 RBI rank second on the team.
• HELLO, MY NAME IS BRUCE: Bruce Zimmermann spun a quality start in his first start with the Tides this season...he worked 6.0 innings, allowing one run on just two hits, while striking out seven batters and walking three...he has not allowed a run in his last 10.0 innings of work after allowing five in the first inning of his relief appearance on June 29.